Traditional diplomacy

New Diplomacy evolved from the ‘old Diplomacy’ – as we have seen in previous entries in the blog about the ‘Evolution of Diplomacy’, modern diplomacy began with the creation of permanent missions between states in the fifteenth century. Although old diplomacy was playing a very important part in the international system, people realized that the world was changing and they had to change with it. Creating a new phenomenon known as ‘New Diplomacy’, which arguably consist of open negotiations and transparency. But this does not however mean that old diplomacy is irrelevant in modern times, but rather it has some additional values. Historically for example the United States – Venezuela relations has almost always been closed, which was characterized by dispute on important trade and investment relationship and cooperation in combating the production of illegal drugs (i.e. cocaine). Nonetheless, new US president Barack Obama came to power with a new strategy/approach to their relationship.

(if image not found please click on the following link) http://www.venworld.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/chavez

In a potentially significant step towards repairing their fractured relationship, the United States and Venezuela have formally agreed to resume full diplomatic relations. The additional values are clearly quoted in the photograph above it reads: “the art of making our enemies feel good about being our enemies.” This is Obama’s new diplomacy towards Venezuela.

Finally one could argue that diplomatic representation is very ancient, in the form of envoys from sovereign to sovereign, which still takes place in modern times with diplomats representing their states all around the world. Therefore it could be agued that old diplomacy is still relevant in the international system.